The family of a woman shot dead at a pub have described her as the “most beautiful and bright star” as police continue their hunt for her murderer.
Elle Edwards, 26, was attacked on Christmas Eve at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village on the Wirral.
Detectives say the beautician was not believed to have been the intended target of the shooting which happened shortly before midnight.
In a statement released by Merseyside Police, her loved ones said: “There was no one as beautiful as our Elle May, her looks, her laugh and the way she would light up a room as she walked in.
“Her laugh was infectious, anyone who was around her had a good time, she loved life and had so many amazing plans for the future. She was only just getting started.
“Christmas and our family will never be the same again without her. She was the glue that held this big family together.”
Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs, appearing alongside Ms Edwards’ father Tim at a news conference, read out the family statement, and said officers have spoken to a “large number of witnesses and reviewed a vast amount of CCTV footage”.
She also said officers are “pursuing a number of lines of inquiry still” and added: “We are committed to finding the persons responsible for Elle’s death and putting them behind bars.”
The detective appealed for more information from the public, including about a dark-coloured Mercedes that was seen in the pub car park on the night of the shooting.
It comes as two people arrested in connection with the shooting have been released from the custody of detectives investigating her killing.
A 30-year-old man from Tranmere detained on Monday on suspicion of murder and attempted murder has been recalled to prison on licence.
A woman, 19, from Rock Ferry who was arrested on Monday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder has been bailed.
A 31-year-old man arrested on Thursday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder remains in custody.
Four men were injured in the shooting, including one who was left in a critical condition.
On Thursday, police released footage of one of the arrests.
The black and white recording shows armed officers entering a property on a residential street before exiting with a suspect and putting them in a police car.
Ms Edwards’ family has been left “devastated” and “inconsolable” by her death, police said.
Read more:
Shooting leaves Wirral ‘united in grief’
Friends describe moment ‘gorgeous’ Elle was shot dead
Friends told Sky News they were dancing and enjoying a night out when “in a split second” everything changed.
Meg and Jess, who did not give their surnames, told Sky News they thought the gunshots they heard were fireworks until they saw their friend lying on the floor.
“We went to go get a drink and we were at the bar and we just heard bangs,” Jess said.
“The second I heard Elle, I was like, ‘It’s not, it’s not, it’s not’.
“I could see her on the floor, people around her trying to help her.
“You just feel hopeless, you can’t help, you can’t do anything.”